Leigh Boobyer

Thousands of people across the West of England gathered to watch a partial solar eclipse in which more than 90% of the Sun was obscured, the highest level visible over the UK since the 1999 total eclipse. Crowds assembled at locations including Bristol, Cheltenham, Weston-super-Mare, Bath, Stonehenge and Warminster, using certified glasses as well as improvised viewing methods such as cereal boxes, colanders and a welding mask.

Mohamed Mohamoud, a 22-year-old Bristol resident, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court accused of preparing acts of terrorism between October 2024 and March 2025. Prosecutors allege that he travelled to Somalia in January 2025 intending to join Islamic State and exchanged messages with Abu Ladin about finding a route to the group. In messages, Mohamoud allegedly said he did not consider dying a problem and feared being punished for abandoning jihad. He failed to reach the group, returned to the UK on 3 March, and denies the charge; the trial is continuing.

A man in his 70s from the local area died at the scene of a large fire in fields behind Berrington Road and Castle Gardens in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire. Thirteen fire engines attended, with additional support from Hereford and Worcester and Warwickshire fire services. Police said there was no suspicion of third-party involvement, and the man’s family and the coroner were informed.

Chelsea Boyce discovered her late grandparents, Ted and Beryl Boyce, captured together on Google Street View outside their home in Creigiau near Cardiff in 2011. The image, taken in the year Ted died and six years before Beryl's death, shows Ted holding the door open for Beryl and has become a cherished reminder of Boyce's childhood visits and her grandfather's character. After sharing a video of the home on Instagram, she received messages from others who use online maps to revisit images of loved ones who have died.

An inquest heard that Jacqueline Davies died after her car rolled forward while she stepped out to move a cat to safety on a hill in Cwmbran. She suffered severe internal injuries and died the following day in hospital. Her family expressed devastation and called for answers, while police appealed for witnesses. The inquest is scheduled to resume in April 2027.

A single father in Castle Cary relies on the Millbrook Hub community larder as falling donations and the end of automatic school holiday food vouchers from Somerset Council make the summer financially difficult. Local charity leaders report record-low public donations, forcing groups such as the Trussell Trust to purchase increasing amounts of food to meet need. The council says support continues through the Crisis and Resilience Fund. Charities warn that if declining donations persist, food supplies could become unsustainable.

A man in his 40s died at the scene of a single‑vehicle motorcycle crash on the A39 between Nether Stowey and Cannington in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police said his next of kin have been informed and are receiving support. The collision occurred near the Cottage Inn at Keenthorne around 13:00 BST and closed the road for several hours before reopening later the same day.

A driver died and two passengers were injured after a collision between a Dacia and a Range Rover on the A46 near Upper Swainswick. The road was closed for investigation and later reopened. Police arrested a man in his 30s on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving before releasing him on conditional bail. Officers are seeking information or dashcam footage of the Range Rover’s movements on the M4 and A46 on 11 July.

Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire reports the birth of two capybara pups to Mildred, who arrived last year. The newborns are healthy and settling in a dedicated nursery with a private pool. Staff expect them to develop quickly, swimming within hours and feeding from their mother for around 16 weeks. The capybara family lives alongside Brazilian tapirs and maned wolves at the park.

Police searching for a missing 28‑year‑old man named George found a body and a motorbike in Calf Way between Miserden and Bisley. The National Police Air Service located the scene, and Gloucestershire Police said the death is not being treated as suspicious. The family has been informed, and officers appealed for witnesses or dashcam footage showing the motorbike’s movements between Stroud and Calf Way.

Actor Matt Ryan revisits his role as Edward Kenway for the updated Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, drawing on childhood experiences in Wales to portray the character. The production team adjusted the character’s backstory to align with Ryan’s Welsh accent, and he reflects on the creative process of motion capture and the franchise’s popularity. Ryan discusses his acting career and strong ties to Wales while expressing enthusiasm for returning to the role after more than a decade.

Matt Ryan discusses returning to his role as Edward Kenway in the updated release of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, explaining how he drew on his Welsh childhood and imagination to inform the performance. Developers adapted the character’s original backstory to suit his Welsh accent, and Ryan describes the motion‑capture process and nostalgia of revisiting the role more than a decade later. He also reflects on his career path, ties to Wales, and ongoing affection for returning home.

Long-term repairs to Gloucester’s A40 Over Bridge are causing severe congestion and significant disruption for commuters, businesses, and schools. MP Matt Bishop has raised concerns and sought government support, while National Highways acknowledges the delays and says the reduced road capacity is necessary to complete essential maintenance. Commuters report journey times increasing by more than an hour, hospital staff have adjusted working hours, and local businesses anticipate reduced trade. The nine‑month project aims to extend the bridge’s lifespan, with officials monitoring traffic to adjust plans as needed and advising drivers to consider alternative routes.

A Wiltshire Police officer, PC Daniel Rusling, received a suspended eight‑week prison sentence for assaulting and swearing at a 13‑year‑old boy who had sought police help in Chippenham. Body‑worn footage showed the officer repeatedly shoving the child, prompting an Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation that found his behaviour disproportionate and damaging to public trust. Senior police leadership condemned his actions as criminal and unrepresentative of the force, and Rusling now faces a gross misconduct process.

The UK Government will invest £580 million in a new biological defence laboratory at Porton Down as part of the upcoming Defence Investment Plan. The facility will expand work on biological warfare threats and be named after Ernest Bevin. Officials highlighted its role in strengthening national security amid evolving biological risks. The funding follows past controversy over plans to relocate the UK Health Security Agency from the site. The initiative forms part of broader defence changes, including Royal Navy restructuring, and aims to reinforce the capabilities of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.

Bin crews in Bristol prevented a man from being crushed after he was tipped into a refuse lorry, stopping the machinery immediately. Bristol Waste launched an investigation and stressed the importance of safety, urging people not to seek shelter in bins. The man was uninjured and declined medical assessment.